Chapter 76 - 75: Assistance_1

Chapter 76: Chapter 75: Assistance_1

Yes, in this life… the Bai family loyal servants were all here!

They had not yet scattered to the ends of the earth to protect her and her sisters’ escape.

Her eyes turned red. In her previous life, her mother had received news that Liu Huanzhang was returning to Dadu to accuse her grandfather of treason. It was the two wet nurse brothers, Xiao Ruojiang and Xiao Ruohai, who protected Bai Jinzhi and took her to the Wei Kingdom.

Bai Jinzhi devoted herself to Wei and became one of its most valiant generals. Xiao Ruojiang and Xiao Ruohai, too, became trusted advisors and generals by her side.

“I am not in a position to meet the two milk brothers at this hour. Nanny, please make arrangements for them to rest well first. They have traveled throughout the night and must be exhausted. We can discuss everything tomorrow.” Bai Qingyan looked at Nanny Tong’s bloodshot eyes and knew she probably hadn’t rested well on the journey.

Nanny Tong nodded. After traveling for a day and a night without sleep, she felt relieved upon seeing Bai Qingyan safe and sound at the Duke’s mansion. Exhaustion then took over. After all, she was old and couldn’t endure such torments.

...

As she stepped out, Nanny Tong saw a new face, Yingshuang, sitting under the porch eating pine nut candy. She frowned, feeling it was unruly, and asked Chun Tao, “Has our courtyard got new people?”

Chun Tao looked at Yingshuang with some affection and quickly explained, “I forgot to tell Nanny. Yingshuang was brought into Qinghui Courtyard by Miss. This child isn’t very bright but has great strength. She used to serve Miss Shen Qingzhu. Miss’s intention is that as long as she doesn’t make big mistakes, there’s no need to restrain her too much.”

Nanny Tong nodded in agreement, but she wasn’t very pleased. Rules and order were necessary; even if the Miss wanted to promote Yingshuang, she shouldn’t be sitting so carelessly in the courtyard eating. Others might think the Qinghui Courtyard lacked discipline.

She did not show this on her face but planned to discuss it with the Miss later and start teaching Yingshuang the rules after obtaining her approval. In Nanny Tong’s view, it didn’t matter if Yingshuang wasn’t smart or learned slowly. She could be taught gradually. Favoring her out of pity would only harm her in the long run.

“You should go serve the Miss now!” Nanny Tong said to Chun Tao.

Chun Tao nodded. Upon entering the room, she saw Bai Qingyan taking out a fox-fur cloak and quickly helped her put it on. “Miss, where are you going?”

“To see grandmother.”

When Bai Qingyan entered Changshou Courtyard, she saw the Eldest Princess and Nanny Jiang standing under the eaves lantern. She handed her hand warmer to Chun Tao and quickly walked up. “Grandmother, why are you standing outside?”

The Eldest Princess, her eyes red as if she had been crying, saw Bai Qingyan arrive and smiled. She pulled Bai Qingyan into her arms and pointed to the pine tree in the courtyard. “That pine tree was planted by your grandfather himself! The year we moved into this Changshou Courtyard…”

The Eldest Princess looked down at her granddaughter in her arms, tears mingling with her smile. “Back then, this place was called Rongshou Courtyard! But your grandfather said he did not seek glory, only long life for us as a couple. He changed the name to Changshou Courtyard instead.”

Standing beside them, Nanny Jiang turned away, covering her mouth as tears streamed.

The Eldest Princess’s nostrils flared; a sour bitterness filled her heart.

“Grandmother, let’s go inside… it’s windy here.” She lowered her moist eyes and helped the Eldest Princess back into the main room. She then placed a warm towel on the Eldest Princess’s face, bringing her back to her senses.

“Coming over in the wind this late, is there something troubling you?” The Eldest Princess handed the warm towel to Nanny Jiang, took Bai Qingyan’s hand, and had her sit by her side. She then sent Nanny Jiang to fetch a bowl of hot ginger soup for Bai Qingyan.

“Regarding my second uncle’s illegitimate son, it is now being said throughout the household that Bai Qingxuan will inherit the Duke of Zhen’s title. Grandfather, father, uncle, and my brother will be back in three days. I have come to ask grandmother about your plans for him.”

The Eldest Princess’s mind was in a tangle, remembering the scene of the daughters-in-law discussing earlier without resolution. She asked Bai Qingyan, “What does Kid think?”

She held the Eldest Princess’s hand and spoke slowly, “That child… is violent and lacks compassion. He is unfit for the title of Duke of Zhen. If we place him in such a position, it may not only destroy the Bai family’s century-old reputation but also bring disaster upon us!”

The Eldest Princess nodded. However, the Bai family had sacrificed over generations to earn the Duke of Zhen’s title—could they just give it up so easily?!

“The other day, someone bribed a soldier’s family to cause trouble at our mansion’s gate. It served as a reminder that someone is watching in the shadows, trying to bring the Bai family down! I personally believe that bringing honor to the Bai family resides in our hearts. Voluntarily giving up the Duke’s title to protect the family is the urgent priority!”

“Voluntarily giving up the title…” The Eldest Princess had considered this.

She nodded. “In that position, one must fulfill its responsibilities. Bai Qingxuan does not have the capability to. Rather than letting the Duke of Zhen become an empty title, we should retreat at the peak and return to our ancestral home in Shuoyang. Let His Majesty see our humility to preserve the Bai family’s lives and century-old honor.”

“As for Bai Qingxuan, if grandmother has the energy, you can keep him by your side and educate him. If he achieves something in the future, the good name we build by stepping down today will greatly aid his career. Even if Bai Qingxuan is hopeless, we still have the child in Fifth Aunt’s belly. If it’s a boy, the Bai family can rebuild its glory soon!” Bai Qingyan’s words made the Eldest Princess see clearly. Yes… how could she have forgotten Fifth Daughter-in-Law’s child!

By stepping down, the Bai family has another way out! Stubbornly fighting for the title even if that illegitimate son gets it, might not prolong the Bai family’s glory.

The Eldest Princess nodded, her red eyes gazing at Bai Qingyan softly. She stroked her granddaughter’s dark hair, constantly marveling in her heart. If her granddaughter was a grandson, the Bai family would worry less about successors. Bai Qingyan was excelling in both literature and martial arts! Her strategies, wisdom, and demeanor were all extraordinary.

After leaving the Eldest Princess’s courtyard, Bai Qingyan intended to visit Mrs. Dong. When she reached her courtyard door, she did not let Nanny Qin announce her. Just as she lifted the curtain to enter, she heard her mother crying softly.

Through the twelve-paneled jasper-redwood screen, she vaguely saw her mother sitting by the bronze flower mirror, clutching the hairpin her father handcrafted for her birthday and holding the clothes she made this year for her younger brother, Bai Qingyu. She was crying uncontrollably.

Her mother’s sobbing stung Bai Qingyan’s heart as if it was pricked. Her internally strong mother, who lost both husband and son overnight, must be feeling heart-wrenching pain.

Not wanting to disturb her mother, she stood behind the screen for half a cup of tea’s time before quietly leaving the room.